Type casting matrix and spacing

ABSTRACT

A type casting matrix and a matrix spacer or spacing for insertion between adjacent matrices in an assembled line of matrices for spacing the matrices, each having a hard metal coating on the casting edge and casting faces adjacent the casting edge thereof for preventing the adhesion of metal thereto during a hot metal typesetting operation and for preventing damage to the casting edge of the matrices. A plating holder is also provided for simultaneously plating a plurality of matrices and spacings on only the casting edges and casting bearing faces thereof; and the process of plating said matrices and spacings wherein the matrices and spacings are first cleaned to remove lead and other contaminants from the casting edge and casting bearing faces thereof and are then plated with a suitable hard metal alloy such as nickel cobalt alloy or the like.

United States Patent 1 Kuhn [ TYPE CASTING MATRIX AND SPACING [76] Inventor: Robert R. Kuhn, 121 East Ln.,

Winchester, Va. 22601 22 Filed: May 19, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 144,791

[52] US. Cl .1; 199/63, 204/17, 199/96 [51] Int. Cl. B4lb 11/02, B41c 3/08 [58] Field of Search 199/63, 65, 66, 69, 199/96; 204/17 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 674,092 5/1901 Mergenthaler 199/63 674,080 5/1901 Dodge 199/63 2,950,181 8/1960 Bosman 204/17 X 1,282,109 10/1918 Novotny 199/63 613,818 ll/l898 Ireland 199/63 7,581 8/1850 Newton 204/17 1,434,798 1l/1922 Stafford 204/17 X 2,245,276 6/1941 I-Iugentobler 204/17 2,506,164 5/1950 Morse 204/17 2,678,299 5/1954 Geese et al.. 204/17 2,726,200 12/1955 Holsapple 204/17 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 22,934 12/1882 Germany 199/63 Dec. 25, 1973 26,193 11/1896 Great Britain ..204/17 24,713 10/1891 Great Britain 199/63 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Eugene H. Eickholt Attorney-Shoemaker & Mattare [57 ABSTRACT A type casting matrix and a matrix spacer or spacing for insertion between adjacent matrices in an assembled line of matrices for spacing the matrices, each having a hard metal coating on the casting edge and casting faces adjacent the casting edge thereof for preventing the adhesion of metal thereto during a hot metal typesetting operation and for preventing damage to the casting edge of the matrices. A plating holder is also provided for simultaneously plating a plurality of matrices and spacings on only the casting edges andcasting bearing faces thereof; and the process of plating said matrices and spacings wherein the matrices and spacings are first cleaned to remove lead and other contaminants from the casting edge and casting bearing faces thereof and are then plated with a suitable hard metal alloy such as nickel cobalt alloy or the like.

4 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures III,

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INVENTOR ROBERT R. KUHN ATTORNEYS TYPE CASTING MATRIX AND SPACING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to hot meta] typesetting and more particularly to a matrix and spacing used in hot metal typesetting in line casting machines. Further, the invention relates to a means for holding a plurality of matrices and spacings in assembled relationship for plating the matrices and spacings on only the casting edge and casting bearing faces thereof and to a process to cleaning and plating the matrices and spacings.

In hot metal typesetting, a plurality of matrices and spacings are placed in a line casting machine and selected ones of the matrices representing different characters are caused to bemoved to an assembler box by suitable automatic or manual means with spacings caused to be inserted between some of the matrices in a desired manner by suitable manual or automatic means. When a predetermined line of matrices and spacings are assembled they are caused to be moved to a portion of the machine where molten metal such as lead is injected against the edges of the matrices and spacings for casting a slug of type. The slug of type is then used for printing.

The automatic operation of line casting machines is commonly practiced by means of a punched program tape which is fed through a tape reader which converts punched information on a paper tape into a plurality of signals which are coupled to inputs of a decoder unit. The output of the decoder unit controls solenoids which actuate means on the linecasting machine for releasing matrices to be assembled in a particular order. Such tape operated line casting machines operate at a high speed and the spacings and matrices, which are made of brass, are quickly worn or damaged rendering them unuseable as they are cycled through the machine. The brass spacings are cycled through the machine quicker then are the matrices since there are fewer spacings, and they are recycled more frequently then the matrices and accordingly the spacings rapidly become heated to a high temperature from repeated casting operations. When the brass spacings become hot, the lead used in casting a slug of type adheres thereto on the casting side of the spacing and on the casting bearings or rails of the spacing.

Accordingly, when a subsequent line of matrices and spacings are assembled in the machine, the lead on the spacings prevents the casting bearings or faces of the spacings and matrices from coming into close abutting contact; and when molden metal is injected under high pressure against the edges of the assembled line of matrices and spacings, the molden metal will flow into the space left between a matrix and an adjacent spacing due to the lead on the spacing which holds the matrix and spacing apart and the slug of type cast therefrom will accordingly have a fine ridge or line of metal between adjacent characters which results in a hair line in the print made from the cast slug of type. Further, through repeated use of a spacing having lead adhered to the casting edge and casting bearings thereof, the casting edge and casting bearings of the matrices, which are positioned adjacent the spacing, will become damaged or deformed due to the pressure exerted thereon by the lead adhered to the spacing. When the matrices become thus damaged, they are rendered unuseable since the molten metal will flow into the concavity or damaged area on the casting edge and casting bearing of the matrix and will form hair lines in the print made from a slug of type cast from the damaged matrices.

In order to prevent such hair lines from being formed, the line casting machine must be shut down approximately every four hours and a machinist removes the spacings and damaged matrices from the machine. The damaged matrices must be thrown away and the lead adhered to the spacings-must be removed by hand by the machinist. This is a costly operation due not only to the loss of the damaged matrices but also because of the down time of the machine and the expense of paying a skilled machinist to remove the lead from the spacings.

The brass matrices, being relatively soft, are also damaged in the normal operation of the line casting machine. As the matrices fall into the assembler box of the machine, they strike the side of the matrix that is already in alignment in the assembler box. This causes small amounts of brass to be chipped off the side bearing of the matrix resulting in a concavity in the bearing side thereof into which the molden lead flows during a subsequent casting operation and results in a hair line being formed in print made from a slug of type cast in the machine with the damaged matrix.

According to the present invention, the brass matrices and spacings are coated on the casting edge and casting bearing faces with a relatively hard metal coating which inhibits the adherence of lead to the matrices and spacings and which presents a hard surface which is not damaged when struck by another matrix or spacing as it is fed into the assembler box. Further, the hard metal coating on the casting edge and casting bearing faces of the matrices inhibits or prevents the tendency of the brass to flow into the character which is stamped into the casting edge of the matrix. Since only the casting edge and casting bearing faces of the matrices and spacings are coated with the hard metal, there is no adverse effect on the line casting machine which would result if the matrix and/or spacing was made entirely of a hard metal material. As the matrices and spacings are cycled through the machine, only the brass portions of the matrices and spacings come into contact with the bearing and guide surfaces of the machine.

A simple and economical plating holder is provided for simultaneously plating the casting edge and casting bearing faces of a plurality of matrices and spacings with the hard metal coating. When a plurality of matrices and spacings are assembled in the plating holder, they are cleaned to remove all contaminants from the casting edge and casting bearing faces thereof and are then plated with asuitable hard metal alloy such as nickel cobalt alloy. The plated matrices and spacings are then heated to effect a molecular bonding between the coating of metal alloy and the brass constituting the matrices and spacings.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a type casting matrix having means thereon for preventing the adherence of lead thereto during a type casting operation using a hot metal typesetting method.

Another object of this invention is to provide a matrix having a hard metal coating on the casting edge and casting bearing faces thereof for preventing adherence of lead thereto during a hot metal casting operation and for preventing damage to the matrix caused by impact thereon from other matrices or spacings.

A further object of this invention is to provide a type casting spacing having means thereon for preventing adherence of lead thereto during a hot metal typesetting operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a spacing having a hard metalcoating on the casting edge and casting bearing faces thereof for preventing the adherence of lead thereto during a hot metal typesetting operation. I

A still further object of this invention is to provide a casting matrix having a hard metal cap plated onto the casting edge and casting bearing faces thereof to prevent flow of metal into the area in which the character is stamped in the casting edge thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plating holder for holding a plurality of matrices and/or spacings in assembled relationship for plating a coating of hard metal on the casting edge and bearing faces of the matrices and spacings.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a process for cleaning, etching, and plating a hard metal coating on the casting edge and bearing faces of casting matrices and spacings. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a line casting machine used in casting a slug of type for printing.

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of a portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the manner in which matrices or spacings are fed into an assembler box and showing how the matrices or spacings strike the side of matrices or spacings already assembled in the assembler box.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a matrix and spacing disposed in side-by-side abutting engagement as they would be assembled for a casting operation.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional matrix and spacing positioned in a mold apparatus and showing the area between the sides of the adjacent matrix and spacing into which molten metal flows when the matrix is damaged.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional matrix illustrating a typical damaged area at the casting edge of the matrix.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional spacing showing a deposit of lead adhered to the casting bearing face of the spacing.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a matrix according to the present invention with a coating of a relatively hard metal plated onto the casting edge and casting bearing faces.

FIG. 8 is a sectional end view of a matrix according to the present invention, showing the cap of metal over the casting edge and casting bearing faces.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a matrix and spacing according to the present invention assembled in sideby-side abutting engagement as they would be for a casting operation. I

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spacing according to the present invention with a coating of a relatively hard metal plated onto the casting edge and casting bearing faces.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a slug of type cast with matrices and spacings according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a first form of plating holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view in section of the holder of FIG. 12 and is taken along the line 13-13.

FIG. 13A is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the holder shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is an end sectional view of the holder in FIG. 13 and is taken along the line 14-14.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a second form of plating holder according to the present invention with a portion thereof exploded away.

FIG. 16 is a side view in section of the holder shown I in FIG. 15 as taken along the line l6-16.

FIG. 17 is an end view in section of the holder shown in FIG. 16 and is taken along the line l7l7.

FIG. 18 is an end view in section of the holder in FIG. 16 as taken along the line l8l8.

FIG. 19 is an end view in section of the retaining bar shown exploded from the holder in FIG. 15 and is taken along the line 19-19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like. parts throughout the several views, a line casting machine indicated generally at 1 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. The line casting machine includes one or more feed magazines 2 containing a plurality of individual matrices or mats 3. A plurality of individual channels 4 are formed in the magazines 2 for receiving individual matrices 3 representative of individual characters.

The individual matrices may be selected for assembly in a line by depression of the keys 5 on a keyboard 6, or the selection of the matrices may be automatically controlled as by means of a punched tape or the like. The selection of an individual matrix representing an individual character is selected either by depression of the key or by automatic selection and is released from the individual channel 4 into one of a plurality of guides 7 onto a moving assembler belt 8. The belt 8 is disposed around a generally square shaped drive wheel 9 and a generally square shaped idler 10. The idler wheel 10 may be round, if desired.

The matrices 3 are carried forwardly and downwardly by the belt 8 to an assembler box 11 in which the matrices are assembled in a line as indicated at 12 in FIG. 2. Spacings are released from a spacing box, not shown, and assembled in line with the matrices 3 by depression of a spacing key or by automatic means as aforedescribed. After a line 12 of matrices and spacings have been assembled in the assembler box 1 1, an elevator mechanism, either manually or automatically, is caused to be operated to elevate the assembler box 11 to a vertical position corresponding to the level of a delivery slide 13. The assembled line 12 is then moved generally horizontally by the slide 13 to a first elevator 14. The assembled line is lowered in the first elevator 14 to a casting position in front of a mold disc 15. Once the assembled line is justified at the mold disc 15, molten metal such as lead is forced from a slot 16 into the casting edge of the assembled matrices and spacings.

After the metal cools, the first elevator 14 raises the assembled line 12 to a vertical position level with a slide 17 at which the assembled line is conveyed onto a hand '18 of a second elevator mechanism 19. During the time the assembled line is being conveyed to the second elevator 19, the mold disc is rotated to a position where a slug ejector, not shown, ejects the cast slug out of slot 16 and into a slide 21. The cast slugs 20 are stacked in a galley 22 at the bottom of slide 2'l for removal and use in a printing operation. The assembled'line 12 of matrices and spacings are transported to a distributing mechanism 23 which distributesthe matrices and spacings to theproper storage locations.

The individual matrices and spacings cling by means of a combination lock or teeth 24 in a V-shaped notch in one end'thereof to complementary teeth or grooves on a combination bar, not shown, in the distributing mechanism 23. A suitable means, such as a screw ithread mechanism conveys the matrices and spacings along the combination bar and along the tops of the channels 4 in the magazines 2. The combination bar has different teeth or notches cut away at different 10- cations along the length thereof corresponding to a different channel entrance;;and when an individual matrix reaches the channel corresponding to its character, it

is no longer supported on the combination bar by its teeth and falls into its channel. The spacings are similarly dislodged from the combination bar and fall into a spacing storage box. The matrices and spacings are thus available for another cycle in a hot metal typesetting operation.

The above description. is general in nature and merely outlines the operation of a conventional line casting machine. More detailed information pertaining to the machine and its operation is given in Linotype Machine Principles, copyright 1940, by the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, Brookly, N.Y.

During the operation of the machine, the spacings indicated at 25 in FIG. 10 are cycled through the machine more frequently than are the matrices since there are fewer spacings than matrices in the magazines 2. Accordingly, the spacings, which are made of brass, become very hot and the molten lead has a tendency to adhere thereto during the casting operation at mold disc 15. Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 2, as each matrix is fed from the belt 8 into the assembler box 11,

it strikes the end of the line 12 of assembled matrices already in alignment in the assembler box.

FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate what happens to a conventional matrix and spacing as they are repeatedly cycled through the line casting machine 1.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, a conventional matrix 26 having a combination lock comprised of a plurality of teeth 24 in a V-shaped notch at one end thereof is disposed in side-by-side abutting engagement with a conventional spacing 27. The matrix 26 has a casting edge or casting edge surface 28 with a pair of characters 29 stamped in the casting edge 28 thereof. The matrix 26 also includes opposite bearing sides or faces 30 and a reference edge 31 opposite to the casting edge 28. Laterally outwardly extending lugs or ears 32 are formed at opposite corners of the matrix 26 for supporting the matrix on various portions of the line casting machine in a well-known manner. The spacing 27 similarly has a casting edge 33 and opposed casting bearing faces 34. i

In FIG. 4, the matrix 26 and spacing 27 are shown held in assembled relationship as they would appear, for example, in the first elevator 14 in front of the mold disc 15. As molten metal is injected under pressure against the casting edges 28 and 33 of the matrix 26 and spacing 27 through the mold slot 16, the molten metal is forced between the matrix 26 and spacing 27 as indicated at 35 if the matrix and spacing are not in perfectly flat abutting contact throughout the bearing faces thereof. This flow of metal into the space between the matrix and spacing would occur, for example, when either the matrix or spacing is damaged on its bearing face as indicated at 36 in FIG. 5. The matrix 26 in FIG. 5 has been rendered unuseable because of the deformation or concavity 36 in the bearing face 30 thereof adjacent the casting edge 28 into which the molten metal 35 flows as seen in FIG. '4 when the matrix is used in a hot metal typesetting operation.

This concavity or indentation 36 is formed in the bearing face 30 of the matrix 26 when, for example, it

is struck in the side by another matrix or spacing or when it is used in an assembled line of matrices and spacings adjacent a spacing having lead adhered to the bearing face thereof as explained previously.

In FIG. 6, a conventional spacing 27 is shown with a deposit of lead 37 on the casting edge 33 and bearing face 34 thereof. This deposit of lead 37 causes an adjacent matrix and spacing to be spaced apart, as previously explained, enabling molten lead to flow into the space between the adjacent spacing and matrix or in repeated useage causes an indentation 36 to be formed in the matrix as seen in FIG. 5 and as previously explained.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a matrix 3 in accordance with the present invention is shown and includes the combination lock or teeth 24 and laterally projecting ears 32 at opposite corners thereof. The matrix 3 has a coating 38 of a nickel cobalt alloy plated onto the casting edge 28 thereof and onto the casting bearing faces 30 adjacent the casting edge.

As best seen in FIG. 8, a slight amount of the metal comprising the matrix is removed or etched from the casting bearing faces 30 and the casting edge 28 prior to application of the nickel cobalt alloy thereto so that the bearing faces of the matrix are substantially flush in the finished product. The nickel cobalt alloy plated onto the casting edge and casting bearing faces defines a cap of hard metal which reduces the tendency of the brass to flow into the area of the character 29 which is stamped into the casting edge since the cap rigidities and holds the metal in the stamped configuration. The exact proportions of nickel and cobalt are not critical. The nickel in the alloy has a very low affinity for lead and the lead therefor will not adhere to it, and the cobalt makes the alloy have a fine grain structure which further reduces the possibility of adherence of lead to the plated area. Further, the alloy is capable of withstanding as much as 750 F. without damage.

FIG. 10 shows a spacing 25 in accordance with the present invention having conventional combination lock or teeth 24 in one end thereof and lugs 32 at opposite comers for supporting the spacing relative to the machine in a well-known manner. The spacing 25 is coated on its casting edge 33 and bearing faces 34 adjacent the casting edge with a nickel cobalt alloy 40 substantially identical to the plating 38 on the matrix 3.

In FIG. 9 a matrix 3 and spacing 25 in accordance with the invention are shown assembled in side-by-side relationship as they would appear during a casting operation. The coating or plating 38 and 40 on the matrix and spacing, respectively, is confined to the casting edge and the portion of the bearing faces adjacent to the casting edge. Accordingly, as the matrix and spacing are cycled through the machine, the relatively hard surface which is plated does not come into contact with any of the portions of the machine; and accordingly, the machine is not damaged. However, the relatively hard, smooth, plated portion of the matrix and spacing prevents the adherence of lead thereto and also withstands the impact of other matrices or spacings thereon.

The matrix and spacing, according to the present invention, can be operated continuously approximately five times as long as a conventional matrix or spacing without requiring any maintenance whatsoever thereon, and a considerable savings in money is accordingly realized from a standpoint of down time of the line casting machine as well as with respect to the expense of paying a skilled machinist to remove lead deposits from the spacings and the cost of damaged matrices which must be thrown away.

In FIG. 11 a slug of type 20 is shown with characters 41 along one edge thereof. When the cast slug of type 20 is made with the matrices and spacings of the present invention, the areabetween adjacent characters 41 is clear and devoid of any metal which would occur with conventional matrices and spacings as explained previously and accordingly, print made with the font of type is free of hair lines.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 through 14, a first form of plating holder is indicated generally at 42. The holder 42 comprises an elongate, flat rectangular bar or frame means 43 having a box-like holder 44 at one end thereof for holding a plurality of matrices and spacings to be simultaneously plated on the casting edge and casting bearing faces thereof. The holder 44 comprises an end wall 45 and a pair of longitudinally extending, upstanding side walls 46 and 47 adjacent opposite edges of the bar 43. The side walls 46 and 47 are secured to the bar 43 by means of a plurality of screws or the like 48 and 49 extended through the bar 43 into the edge of the side walls 46 and 47. The end wall 45 is held to the side walls 46 and 47 by means of a pair of screws or the like 50 and 51 extended through opposite ends thereof into the ends of the side walls 46 and 47. A pair of elongate, longitudinally extending clamping plates 52 and 53 are suitably fixed on the top edges of side walls 46 and 47 as by means of a plurality of screws 54 and 55 and extend perpendicularly to the walls 46 and 47 toward one another and terminate short of one another at their inner facing edges 56 and 57 to define an open space exposing the casting edges of the matrices or spacings held in assembled relationship in the holder 44. The opposing facing edges of the plates 52 and 53 have downwardly extending flanges or lips 52' and 53' thereon, respectively, extending over the lugs at opposite ends of the matrices and into contact with the casting edges of the matrices.

As shown in these figures, a plurality of matrices 3 are assembled in the holder and a plurality of plastic spacers 58 are interposed between the matrices 3 in alternating relationship therewith. As can be seen best in FIG. 13, the plastic spacers are not as wide as the matrices and therefore leave a portion of the casting bearing faces exposed to be plated. The spacers 58 and matrices 3 are held in closely packed assembled relationship in the holder by means of a clamping plate 59, between which and the end wall 45 the spacers and matrices are clamped. An adjustable clamping rod 60 having a rounded end 61 fitted-in a shallow recess 62 is used to adjust the pressure on the spacers and matrices 3 and is longitudinally adjustable in order to accommodate more or less spacers and matrices as desired. The major portion of the length of the clamping rod 60 is threaded as at 63 and is received at its other end through a bifurcated flange 64 of an angle member 65 which has the other flange 66 thereof suitably secured to the bar 43 as by means of a pair of bolts or the like 67 extended through the flange 66 and through the bar 43. Nuts or the like 68 are threadably received on the ends of the bolts on the side of the bar 43 opposite the flange 66 for holding the angle member 65 to the bar 43. A pair of relatively narrow elongate spacer members or shims 69 and 70 are received under the opposite edges of flange 66 and the screws or bolts or the like 67 extend therethrough. A pair of nuts 71 and 72 are threadably engaged on the rod 60 on opposite sides of the bifurcated flange 64 for adjusting the rod longitudinally with respect to the flange 64 to adjust the position of the rounded end 61 of the rod relative to the spacers 58 and matrices 3 in the holder 44.

A longitudinally extending, relatively flat rectangular contact plate 73 extends under the matrices 3 and spacers 58 in the holder 44 in contact with the reference edge 31 of the matrices and under the flange 66 of angle member 65. A plurality of suitable adjustable means such as wing bolts 75 or the like are threadably extended through the bar 43 under the holder 44 into engagement with the underside of contact plate 73 for urging it into tight engagement with the matrices 3 to establish a good electrical connection between the contact plate 73 and matrices 3. A nut 76 is threaded onto the shank of each of the wing bolts 75 to lock them in their adjusted positions. A wing bolt 77 is threadably received through the opposite end of the contact plate 73 and into engagement with the top surface of bar 43 for insuring a good electrical connection between the contact plate 73 and bar 43. A suitable hanger means or hook 78 is suitably connected to the end of bar 43 opposite the holder 44 for hanging the plating holder 42 from a cathode bar or the like with the holder 44 immersed in an electrolytic solution containing the alloy to be plated onto the matrices and spacings.

With the exception of the wing bolts 75 and 77, the angle member 65 and the clamping rod 60, each of the elements comprising the plating holder is made of an electrically conductive material such as copper or the like for insuring a strong electrical current to the matrices and/or spacings for accomplishing plating thereof in the electrolytic solution.

The book 78 may be secured to the bar 43, for example, by means of a pair of screws or the like 79 and 80 extended through the bar and through one end of the hook 78 with a suitable nut means 81 and washer 82 on the other end thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 through 19, a modified plating holder 83 is shown. The holder 83 comprises a base bar or frame 84 made of plastic or the like and having a box-like holder structure 85 at one end thereof. The holder 85 comprises an end wall 86 and longitudinally extending upstanding side walls 87 and 88. The end wall 86 and side walls 87 and 88 may be formed integrally with the base bar 84 or may be made separately therefrom as desired. A pair of removable clamping plates 89 and 90 are secured to the top edges of side walls 87 and 88 and extend laterally therefrom towardone another terminating at their inner edges 91 and 92 short of one another to define an opening or slot exposing the casting edges and a portion of the casting bearing faces of the matrices 3 confined therewithin. The opposing facing edges of the plates 89 and 90 have downwardly extending lips or flanges 89' and 90' thereon, respectively, extending over the lugs at opposite ends of the matrices and into contact with the casting edges of the matrices.

The end wall 86 and side walls 87 and 88 and clamping plates 89 and 90'are made of plastic or similar material. A plurality of screws 93 or the like extend through openings 94 in the clamping plates into the upper edges of side walls 87 and 88 for removably holding the clamping plates to'the side walls. The clamping plate 59 as in the previous embodiment, is in abutting engagement with the end most matrix 3 in the holder 85 for clamping the matrices 3 and spacers 58 between the clamping plate 59 and end wall 86 as in the previous embodiment, and an adjustable clamping rod 60' identical to the previously described clamping rod 60 with the exception that it is made of plastic is disposed against the clamping plate 59 at one end and is extended through a bifurcated laterally extending flange 95 formed integrally with the base 84 or separate there from, as desired.

A pair of nuts 71 and 72 are threadably engaged on the clamping rod 60 on opposite sides of the flange 95 for adjusting the longitudinal position of the rod 60' relative to the spacers 58 and matrices 3 to accommodate more or less spacers and matrices in the holder 85. A contact plate 96 is embedded within the bar 84 and extends above the surface of the bar 84 at one end 97 and under the matrices and spacers in the holder 85 in contact with the reference edge 31 of the matrices. The other end of the contact bar 96 extends outwardly beyond the end of the base bar 84 and is formed into the shape of a hook 98 for supporting the holder 83 from a cathode bar or the like to immerse the holder 85 and matrices 3 in an electrolytic solution containing the metal to be plated onto the-exposed surfaces of the matrices.

When it is desired to plate an alloy such as a nickel cobalt alloy onto the casting edge and casting bearing faces of the matrices or spacings, the clamping plates 52 and 53 are removed from the holder 44 in the FIG. 12 embodiment, and the matrices and spacings placed between the side walls 46 and 47 in alternating relationship with a plurality of plastic spacers 58. When a desired number of matrices or spacings are placed in the holder, the clamping plates are placed back on the side walls 46 and 47 in overlying clamping relationship to the opposite ends of the matrices or spacings and the clamping rod 60 is adjusted into tight engagement with the plate 59 for tightly clamping the matrices or spacings and spacers 58 between the end wall 45 and plate 59. The hook 78 is then placed over a cathode bar or the like and the holder 44 is immersed in an electrolytic solution containing the.desired alloy with the exposed surfaces of the matrices or spacings submerged iri the electrolytic solution. A current is then passed through the hook 78, contact plate 73 and matrices 3 or spacings to effect plating of the alloy onto the exposed surfaces of the spacings or matrices.

In order to prevent the plating holder itself from being plated with the alloy, all surfaces thereof must be coated with a suitable stoproff material such as Plastisol or the like. Only the facing edges 56 and 57 and undersurfaces of the clamping plates 52 and 53 are left exposed, and these edges and surfaces rob or attract the plating material from the solution and prevent it from plating the end portions of the matrices or spacings which are disposed under the clamping plates 52 and 53. The same procedure is followed with the holder in the FIG. 15 embodiment except that since the holder is made with plastic it need not be coated with a stopoff material. However, in order to prevent the plating material from plating the ends of the spacings or matrices under the clamping plates 89 and 90, a double face tape 99 is placed on the edges 91 and 92 and lips 89' and of the clamping plates and back under the undersurface thereon as seen in FIG. 19. A metal foil 100 is then placed over the double face tape and this foil acts as a robber to attract the plating material from the solution to prevent it from plating the ends of the spacings or matrices which are under the clamping plates 89 and 90. Alternatively, a piece of foil could simply be placed over the lugs on the matrices and extended down to the casting edge thereof. When the clamping plates 89 and 90 are assembled to the holder, the foil would then be securely clamped between the plates and the matrices to rob plating material.

If desired, an imperforate plate or wall could be disposed over the casting edges of the spacings or matrices in place of the clamping plates 52 and 53, for example and one of the side walls left out in order to plate material onto the combination lock or teeth 24 when they become worn.

ln plating the matrices or spacings, the matrices or spacings are first placed in the holder 44 or 85 and then immersed in a commercial alkaline cleaning solution contained in a tank or the like with a reverse electric current applied to the cleaning solution for a sufficient time to remove all oxide and dirt and other contaminants from the brass spacings and/or matrices. The holder containing the matrices and/or spacings is then removed from the cleaning solution and rinsed in clear water at room temperature. Following this, the holder containing the matrices and/or spacings is immersed in a controlled nitric sulfuric acid solution with a reverse electric current applied thereto to etch the matrices and/or spacings to a desired thickness over the exposed casting edge and casting bearing faces thereof. The density of the solution and the temperature of the solution and the time and current strength determine the amount of etching of the brass matrices and/or spacings.

After the spacings and/or matrices are etched, they are rinsed in clear water and then are put in a dry acid solution to remove soaps and the like therefrom. After this operation, there are no contaminants left on the casting edges or bearing casting faces of the matrices and/or spacings. The holder with the matrices and/or spacings therein is then placed in a plating tank containing an electrolytic solution having a nickel cobalt alloy therein with the hook of the contact plate positioned over a cathode rod or the like and the spacings and/or matrices immersed in the solution. The holder is left in the solution for a sufficient time to plate the matrices and/or spacings to the desired thickness in order to make the outer surface thereof substantially flush or until the etched surfaces of the matrices and/or spacings are filled with nickel cobalt alloy. The temperature of the electrolytic solution should be maintained at approximately 120 F, The particular proportions of nickel and cobalt are not critical in this solution. After the matrices and spacings have been in the plating solution for a time sufficient to plate the required amount of material thereon, they are removed from the solution and rinsed in clear water then they are rinsed in scalding water at 180 F. and taken out of the plating holder. The matrices and/or spacings are then heated for 45 minutes at 750 F. which effects a molecular bonding between the coating of nickel cobalt alloy and the brass of the spacings and/or matrices to prevent peeling, chipping and the like of the coating.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and allchanges that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim: v

l. A flat, rectangularly shaped, brass type casting matrix for use in hot metal typesetting in a line casting machine to cast slugs of print, said brass matrix having opposite, smooth, flat, bearing sides, a smooth casting edge surface with at least one indicia containing recess therein having a bottom and'side walls and opening outwardly through said bearing sides and a preselected, depressed indicia stamped in said indicia containing recess, a smooth, flat uninterrupted reference edge opposite said casting edge surface, said matrix having opposite ends, one of said ends having a V-shaped notch therein with a plurality of teeth therein for cooperation with a combination bar in said line casting machine to support the matrix, an outwardly extending lug integral with each corner of the matrix for supporting the matrix in the line casting machine, a shallow recess etched in the casting edge surface and the indicia containing recess and indicia therein and terminating inwardly from opposite ends of the matrix closely adjacent to said ends, said shallow, etched recess extending completely across the width of the casting edge surface, including said indicia containing recess, and downwardly from opposite edges of the casting edge surface into the opposite, flat bearing sides 'only a distance approximately the same as the width of the casting edge surface, and a continuous, hard metal coating of an alloy with a hardness greater than brass plated only into said shallow, etched recess in said casting edge surface and said bearing sides and on the previously uncoated indicia previously stamped in the casting edge surface, said coating filling said etched recess and defining a hard metal cap only on said casting edge surface, including the indicia therein, and on adjacent portions of the bearing sides, rigidifying the indicia and preventing deformation of the indicia, and preventing marring of the bearing sides and casting edge when the matrix is assembled in an assembler box of a line casting machine and preventing adherence of lead to the indicia and to the bearing sides and casting edge during use of the matrix to cast a slug of print, thus increasing the useful life of the matrix, while at the same time only the uncoated metal on opposite sides andends of the matrix comes into contact with the matrix engaging components of the line casting machine to thus protect the machine.

2. A type casting matrix as in claim 1, wherein the metal coating on the matrix comprises a nickel cobalt alloy.

3. A flat, rectangularly shaped, brass type casting spacing for use in hot metal typesetting in a line casting machine to cast slugs of print, said brass spacing having opposite, smooth, flat, bearing sides, a smooth casting edge surface, a smooth, flat uninterrupted reference edge opposite said casting edge surface, and opposite ends, one of said ends having a V-shaped notch therein with a plurality of teeth therein for cooperation with a combination bar in said line casting machine to support the spacing, an outwardly extending lug integral with each corner of the spacing for supporting the spacing in the line casting machine, a shallow recess etched in the casting edge surface and terminating inwardly from opposite ends of the spacing closely adjacent the said ends, said shallow, etched recess extending completely across the width of the casting edge surface and downwardly from opposite edges of the casting edge surface into the opposite, flat bearing sides only a distance approximately the same as the width of the casting edge surface, and a continuous, hard metal coating of an alloy with a hardness greater than brass plated only into said shallow, etched recess in said casting edge surface and said bearing sides, said coating filling said etched recess and defining a hard metal cap only on said casting edge surface and on adjacent portions of the bearing sides, preventing marring of the bearing sides and casting edge when the spacing is assembled in an assembler box of a line casting machine and preventing adherence of lead to the bearing sides and casting edge during use of the spacing tocast a slug of print to increase the useful life of the spacing, while at the same time only the uncoated metal on opposite sides and ends of the spacing comes into contact with the spacing engaging components of the line casting machine to thus protect the machine.

4. A spacing as in claim 3, wherein the metal alloy coating on the casting edge surface and opposite bearing sides of the spacing comprises a nickel cobalt alloy. l l 

2. A type casting matrix as in claim 1, wherein the metal coating on the matrix comprises a nickel cobalt alloy.
 3. A flat, rectangularly shaped, brass type casTing spacing for use in hot metal typesetting in a line casting machine to cast slugs of print, said brass spacing having opposite, smooth, flat, bearing sides, a smooth casting edge surface, a smooth, flat uninterrupted reference edge opposite said casting edge surface, and opposite ends, one of said ends having a V-shaped notch therein with a plurality of teeth therein for cooperation with a combination bar in said line casting machine to support the spacing, an outwardly extending lug integral with each corner of the spacing for supporting the spacing in the line casting machine, a shallow recess etched in the casting edge surface and terminating inwardly from opposite ends of the spacing closely adjacent the said ends, said shallow, etched recess extending completely across the width of the casting edge surface and downwardly from opposite edges of the casting edge surface into the opposite, flat bearing sides only a distance approximately the same as the width of the casting edge surface, and a continuous, hard metal coating of an alloy with a hardness greater than brass plated only into said shallow, etched recess in said casting edge surface and said bearing sides, said coating filling said etched recess and defining a hard metal cap only on said casting edge surface and on adjacent portions of the bearing sides, preventing marring of the bearing sides and casting edge when the spacing is assembled in an assembler box of a line casting machine and preventing adherence of lead to the bearing sides and casting edge during use of the spacing to cast a slug of print to increase the useful life of the spacing, while at the same time only the uncoated metal on opposite sides and ends of the spacing comes into contact with the spacing engaging components of the line casting machine to thus protect the machine.
 4. A spacing as in claim 3, wherein the metal alloy coating on the casting edge surface and opposite bearing sides of the spacing comprises a nickel cobalt alloy. 